Lead Backend Engineer (Gaming & Entertainment Projects)

Ex Machina Group; Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Amsterdam office

Job summary

Ex Machina Group is seeking a Lead Backend Engineer to guide our backend team, evolve the PlayTwo framework, and deliver scalable systems for global-scale interactive projects. You’ll stay hands-on with code while steering architecture, technical direction, and mentorship across six engineers.

You’ll design and optimize Java/Spring Boot backends, lead code reviews, define scalable APIs for high-concurrency environments, and collaborate with product, frontend, and infra teams to ensure reliable

Qualifications

• 6+ years of backend development experience, including leadership or senior responsibilities.
• Strong Java/Spring Boot background with experience in high-concurrency backends.
• Experience designing and scaling distributed systems and APIs for real-time use cases.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of backend engineers, review code, and set best practices.
• Evolve PlayTwo to be scalable and ready for new client use cases.
• Define and implement backend architecture balancing performance, reliability and flexibility.
• Collaborate with project managers, frontend and infrastructure teams to ensure timely, high-quality delivery.
• Contribute to client conversations, explaining technical solutions and providing input during scoping discussions.

Skills

Java

Spring Boot

Leadership

API design

MongoDB

AWS

NoSQL

Tools

PlayTwo

Job description

The Role

We’re looking for a Lead Backend Engineer to guide our backend team, evolve our PlayTwo framework, and deliver reliable systems for global-scale interactive projects.

This is a role for someone who wants to stay hands-on with code while also taking responsibility for team leadership, architecture, and technical direction. You’ll:

• Develop and maintain core backend systems in Java/Spring Boot, ensuring they can handle high concurrency and peak traffic loads.
• Lead and mentor a team of six backend engineers, reviewing code, setting best practices, and supporting their growth.
• Evolve PlayTwo, ensuring the framework remains scalable, efficient, and ready for new client use cases.
• Define and implement backend architecture, making choices that balance performance, reliability, and flexibility.
• Support project delivery by scoping work, aligning with project managers, frontend developers, and infrastructure engineers to ensure timely, high-quality delivery.
• Contribute to client conversations, explaining technical solutions and providing input during sales and scoping discussions.
• Explore new technologies relevant to interactive media and gaming, bringing fresh ideas to future projects.

What We’re Looking For

• 6+ years of backend development experience, including time in a lead or senior role.
• Strong background in Java (21+), Spring Boot, MongoDB, and experience with AWS.
• Solid understanding of NoSQL database design and optimization.
• Experience designing and scaling distributed systems and APIs for high-concurrency, real-time use cases.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor engineering teams, balancing leadership with hands-on coding.
• Experience with large-scale platforms and real-time interactive systems is a strong plus.
• Comfortable joining client calls and clearly explaining technical approaches to non-technical stakeholders.
• Curiosity about emerging technologies (AI/LLM, cloud-native systems, real-time frameworks).

Why Join Us

• Work on projects used by millions of people worldwide in gaming, streaming, and entertainment.
• Take ownership of PlayTwo, the core framework behind all our client work.
• Lead a talented backend team while continuing to code and shape architecture yourself.
• Be part of a company where your work is visible on a global stage and reliability really matters.
• Enjoy a hybrid work schedule with a collaborative Amsterdam office culture.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Amsterdam Noord (NDSM): Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work

Experience:

• Java (21+), Spring Boot: 6 years (Preferred)

Language: